Are you struggling to keep your house succulents healthy and thriving?
In this blog, we will discuss how to water indoor succulents properly. You would consider the watering frequency, signs of overwatering and underwatering, the best watering methods, or even what kind of water to use.
So, stay tuned for essential tips on properly watering tips for your green babies from Happy Succulent Care!
Key Takeaways:
- Proper watering is crucial for the health and survival of indoor succulents.
- Factors like climate, soil, and pot size should be considered when determining how often to water indoor succulents.
- Bottom watering with distilled or rainwater, in small amounts and during the morning, is the best method for watering indoor succulents.
Why is Proper Watering Important for Indoor Succulents?
In the wild, succulents are tough as nails. They've got water stored up in their leaves and stems, so they can handle dry spells like it's nobody's business. But when it comes to indoor succulent care, it's a whole different ballgame:
- Limited Light: Indoor succulents usually don't get as much sun as their outdoor counterparts. This means they grow slower and don't drink up water as quickly, so you gotta keep a close eye on them to avoid drowning them, which can lead to some nasty root rot.
- Air Circulation: Inside your house, there's not as much fresh air moving around compared to the great outdoors. This can make the soil take its sweet time drying out, which ups the chances of overwatering and some funky fungal problems for your succulents.
- Growing in Planters: For home decor, succulents are planted inside beautiful pots. But some of them have drainage holes, some not. Some are too large while some are just tiny to put on the desk. Hence, the way of watering indoor succulents varies, depending on which size or type of pots they're grown in.
- Temperature: Inside, temperatures are usually pretty steady, unlike the ups and downs succulents would face in their natural habitats. However, the stable temperature also affects how much water they use.
In fact, your indoor succulents need a bit more caring when watering, compared to their outdoor buddies. Too much or too little water can really throw them for a loop. Overwatering can cause root rot, while underwatering can leave them thirsty and miserable.
How Often Should You Water Indoor Succulents?
Well, it depends on a whole slew of factors like the climate, soil type, and what your specific plant babies need.
Most indoor succulents are content with a sip every one to two weeks, but some can go even longer without a refill, while others might need a bit more frequent hydration.
- Type of Plants: The most important thing to consider is what kind of plant you've got. Different succulent types and species have slightly different watering needs. They all don't need a ton of water, but the exact number of weeks or days between watering will depend on the specific succulent you've chosen to grow.
- Size matters too when it comes to watering. Smaller plants won't guzzle as much water, but they'll also dry out faster in smaller pots. Plants in big containers will take way longer to dry out completely. Their big, established root systems also mean they can usually go a couple of weeks without an extra drink.
- Temperature plays a big role in how quickly the soil dries out indoors. Warmer temps can make the soil dry out faster, while cooler temps can slow things down.
- Humidity levels also affect how fast the moisture evaporates from the soil. In drier climates, indoor succulents might need more frequent watering to make up for the lack of natural humidity.
- Type of Soil: The type of soil used for indoor succulents significantly affects their water retention and drainage, which are critical for maintaining plant health. A sandy, quick drainage soil requires watering more frequently but prevents water from sitting around the roots, which can cause root rot.
Tips: The best way to check if it's time to water again is to stick your finger in the soil and feel how moist it is, and give the container a little lift to see how heavy it is.
At Happy Succulent Care, we've used soil moisture meters as nifty gadgets that can give a precise reading of how much moisture is in the soil for indoor plants. So you only water your succulents when they really need it.
What is the Best Watering Method for Indoor Succulents?
Alright, now let's talk about the best way to quench your indoor succulents' thirst: the soak and dry method. This technique makes sure the soil gets a good, thorough drink and then lets it dry out completely before the next round of watering.
Watering from Above vs. Bottom Watering
When it comes to giving your succulents a drink, you've got two main options: watering from above or bottom watering. Each has its own perks and drawbacks, depending on how well your pot drains and what kind of container you're using.
Above Watering:
In this method, make sure you're not just dumping water all willy-nilly on your succulent's head. Aim for the base of the plant, so the soil can get first dibs on that precious water amount.
Bottom Watering:
On the flip side, this is a great way to give your succulents a good soak. For some reasons, if you've forgotten to water them for a while and they're underwatered. Put the succulents pot in a deep tray to allow them to quickly absorb enough water to recover. This way, your succulent can gulp up all the water it needs to perk back up. It's like giving your plant a big, refreshing hug!
Using a Watering Can vs. a Spray Bottle
Choosing between a watering can and a spray bottle depends on the size of your potting container and the soil moisture needs of your succulents.
Watering can:
Is most effective for deep watering as it allows for a slow and steady stream of water directly to the plant's soil base. This is especially useful for succulents planted in larger pots (more than 5 inch) or containers where you want to ensure the water reaches the bottom roots. To use a watering can properly, aim the spout close to the base of the plant and allow the water to soak in gradually.
Spray bottle:
We not recommend using spray bottle because misting may lead to brittle roots or moldy leaves. However, you can use for succulents in small and mini sizes. To spray properly, adjust the nozzle to create a fine mist and lightly spray the soil base and leaves of the plant to provide gentle hydration.
What the Best Type of Water?
The type of water you use for indoor succulents can significantly affect their health; room-temperature water is ideal. And while tap water is often suitable, it may require some small treatment to remove harmful chemicals.
Treating Tap Water
To treat tap water properly for your indoor succulents, you'll want to remove chlorine and other chemicals. An easy way for us to do is to let the water sit out overnight before using it.
Another important step is ensure it's at room temp to avoid shocking your plants. In winter, cold water is like an unexpected ice bucket challenge for your succulents, and they will leave you then!
Rainwater
On rainy days, rainwater is a true gift from nature for your succulents. It's like a refreshing, chemical-free spa day for them! Not only is rainwater softer and more natural than tap water, but it's also packed with nutrients that your plants crave.
At Happy Succulent Care, I would love to bring all my cute buddies outside on a rainy day. Chilling with a cup of coffee and seeing my succulents dance under rain dropping.
What is the Best Time of Day to Water Indoor Succulents?
The best time to give your indoor succulents a drink is in the morning. This way, the water has plenty of time to soak in, and the soil can dry out by evening. Watering in the morning is like giving your succulents a refreshing start to their day, and the UV lighting also helps keep those pesky fungi from growing.
How to Tell When Your Succulents Have Had Enough Water
You can tell when your succulents are feeling satisfied with their water intake by taking a good look at their soil and leaves. Happy, well-watered succulents will have plump, firm leaves that are like little water balloons!
Another way to tell if your succulents are hydrated is by their color - they'll have a vibrant, lively green that screams, "I'm loving life!" If you give their leaves a gentle squeeze, they should feel full and firm, like a ripe fruit.
Signs of Overwatering and Underwatering Succulents
Knowing the signs of overwatering and underwatering is crucial for keeping your succulents happy; overwatered succulents often have more yellow, squishy, see-through leaves, while underwatered succulents will have brown, dry, shriveled-up leaves.
Moreover, you can spot an overwatered succulent by more than just its leaves - root rot and a squishy stem are dead giveaways.
To avoid this, adjust your watering schedule based on the season and your succulent's specific needs. In hot, dry weather, they might get a little thirstier, but in cooler months, they can go longer between drinks.
What to Do if Your Indoor Succulents are Overwatered?
If you've accidentally given your indoor succulents too much water, don't panic!
- The first thing you need to do is stop watering and make sure they have good drainage to let that extra water escape. It's like giving your succulents a chance to dry out after a long swim!
- Next, it's time for a root check-up. Gently remove your succulents from their pots and take a good look at their roots. If you see any mushy, discolored roots, it's a sign of root rot - the archenemy of overwatered succulents!
- To fix this, carefully brush away the excess soil and use a clean pair of scissors to trim away the damaged roots. Think of it like giving your succulent a fresh haircut, but be sure to cut above the damaged area to help it grow back healthy and strong.
- Finally, repot your succulent in fresh, well-draining soil - it's like giving them a brand new, cozy home. Then let your succulent settle in for few days, before you start watering again, based on its unique needs.
Conclusion: The Ultimate Guide
Becoming a succulent watering wizard is all about finding that perfect balance. It's like being a tightrope walker in the plant world! Overwatering is the equivalent of a never-ending bath for your succulents - not fun! On the flip side, underwatering leaves your succulents parched and sad.
To keep your plants looking lively and vibrant, keep an eye on the moisture levels in the soil. A good rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, like checking if a cake is ready to come out of the oven.
Remember, every succulent is unique, just like us! Get to know your plants, and soon you'll be speaking their language fluently. With a little love and attention to their watering needs, your indoor succulent garden will be very happy.